Weather was Spark Fishers Festival’s friend in 2022

The Ferris Wheel was placed at the entrance of City Hall

Fishers had a summer festival from 1989 through 2017 named the Fishers Freedom Festival and dissolved the nonprofit group running that event, so the city took over the celebration in 2018 as the Spark Fishers Festival.  This summer event has seen all kinds of weather for this time of year, but the weather gave Fishers a break in 2022.

No rain had been forecast for the street fair, parade and fireworks set for Saturday.  But a line of showers formed to the northwest of our fair city and menaced the festival, particularly the parade.

We all kept a close eye on the forecast and weather radar, which did not look good around 5pm.  Then, the rain appeared to dissipate before arriving over the festival grounds.  Other than a few small drops of rain, the conditions were perfect for the festival – no rain, overcast with pleasant temperatures.

So, the street fair went on, the parade started and ended with no weather issues and the fireworks were performed without any rain.

It was a good day, with a very large crowd for the parade (at least that’s the way it looked from my vantage point just west of Municipal Drive on 116th Street).

I took plenty of photos Saturday, so here is the product of my work, plus a video of the Fishers Tigers Marching Band:

Fishers residents Gino & Wendy Johnson have plenty to sell at the street fair
Mudsock Youth Athletics had a popular booth
Police Chief Ed Gebhart (left) talking with people at the street fair
The teachers from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Association were at the festival
El Ahlwardt of the Fishers Armed Services Commission had a presentation honoring Vietnam Vets
Fire Chief Steve Orusa waives to the crowd with Mayor Fadness looking on
Mayor Fadness (left) acknowledges the crowd along with Police Chief Gebhart

 

There was support for the Ukrainian people in the parade
Hamilton County Sheriff Dennis Quakenbush was part of this year’s parade
PFLAG, a group supporting the rights of gays, lesbian, transgender people and others, had a unit in the parade
Here is the winner of this year’s Spark Car Show
Hamilton County Republicans had supporters and some candidates in the parade
Not to be outdone, Democrats had their own parade unit